Time To Play by KA Richardson (best book club books of all time TXT) 📗

Marlo stared at the flame for a moment, the hairs on the back of her neck standing to attention. Her senses were on overdrive as the silent screams threatened her composure. She leant forward and quickly blew it out.

Ali looked surprised. ‘Not into candles?’

‘No,’ she said quietly, staring at the smoke curling up from the wick for a second. ‘They’re just dangerous. Always worry they’ll spark or something. Sorry.’

‘No need to apologise, I get it. Here,’ he said, handing her a slice of pizza.

The food was hot, and the wine was smooth – too smooth as one glass turned to three. Marlo didn’t even notice he’d popped the cork on another bottle. She felt more comfortable now, the alcohol easing whatever discomfort there might’ve been. She sat on the sofa next to Ali, her legs tucked up under her bum.

‘Thanks, Ali. I needed this.’

‘Tough day?’

‘Yeah. Hours spent diving off the coast of Seaham, and we didn’t even find the old boy that went under. We’re heading back out tomorrow, expanding the search area.’

‘Sorry, love. Was he a swimmer?’

‘Yeah, apparently so. He supposedly swam the same stretch three times a week and has done for fifty years according to the log.’

‘Tough as old boots then. Is there a chance he might’ve swam further away and made it out?’

‘Not really. Coastguard reported a bad rip tide out that way; he probably got caught in it and didn’t have the strength to pull free.’

Marlo’s head dropped onto Ali’s shoulder, and the last sentence was muffled against his shirt. She fell silent and her breathing deepened a little.

Ali’s Flat, Sunderland – 12 November

Well, I’ll be! She’s asleep. Ali let his thoughts run free. They’d had a moment when they were standing by the pictures. He knew it. He’d wanted to turn her around, crush her to him and kiss her hard. His whole body had screamed at him to do it the second she’d leant back into him. That wasn’t good. He didn’t know if he could do it again, hell it had been so long he didn’t even know if anything still worked as it should. He’d not been with anyone since Tina. He frowned as he tried to remember her face, and all he could see was Marlo. Weird.

Not wanting to wake her, Ali carefully pulled his legs up onto the couch and shuffled down so his head rested on the sofa arm. Marlo mumbled in her sleep then snuggled into the crook of his arm.

This was dangerous territory, it felt comfortable. He figured he’d just lie there for a couple of minutes, maybe watch the end of the movie they’d started, then try to manoeuvre from under her. But before he knew it, his eyes closed, his mind cleared, and he fell into a deep sleep.

Ali’s Flat, Sunderland – 13 November

Marlo stretched as consciousness pulled her forth. She didn’t want to get up, she was comfy and warm and–… on top of someone!

Jumping up rapidly, she blinked several times, eventually understanding she’d fallen asleep on Ali. The movement had woken him, the harsh pressure of her hands on his chest as she’d risen waking him suddenly too.

‘What the hell?’ he jerked, sitting up.

‘Sorry, I didn’t realise where I was and then … oh crap. Sorry, Ali. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you. You must think I’m a right idiot.’

‘Don’t be daft, I meant to wake you, but I must’ve fallen asleep too.’

‘Oh God, the wine,’ muttered Marlo, her head banging to remind her of the multiple glasses she’d consumed.

‘We fell asleep is all, don’t worry about it. I should’ve woken you, but you looked so comfortable and cute, I just didn’t have the heart,’ Ali smiled at her.

Cute? Cute? I haven’t been called that since, well, ever! But, she supposed, she’d never fallen asleep on a guy either. It seemed to be a night of firsts.

Glancing at the clock on the mantelpiece, she struggled to focus and when she saw the time, she paled. ‘Shit, I’m going to be late. I’ve got to run!’

Without giving Ali a chance to reply, she grabbed her sandals off the floor, and rushed out of the door and back to her own flat.

Taking a second once inside, she rested her head on the doorframe for a moment. What the heck was the matter with her? How brazen she must seem to walk into his flat with a bottle of wine and fall asleep on him. This will be round the nick in no time. Idiot!

Berating herself wouldn’t help though, and besides she really was late. She dropped a quick text to Sharpie apologising for her tardiness, pulled her uniform on and left the flat. After locking the door, she noticed Ali stood in the corridor waiting for her, also dressed for the day. He held out a travel mug that was steaming and smelt suspiciously like freshly brewed coffee.

‘Strong and black, you won’t have time to grab any. You need milk?’

Marlo shook her head, surprised at his thoughtfulness. ‘Strong and black is perfect. You didn’t have to do this, thanks, Ali. And again, I’m sorry about last night.’

‘I’m not,’ replied Ali, handing her the cup and heading for the stairs without another word.

Eh? Not what?

Dropping like a lead weight, she understood: he wasn’t sorry. Well, what does that mean? Groaning she took a quick sip of coffee, he was a bloke. She’d fallen asleep on him all damsel in distress like; of course he didn’t mind. That had to be what he meant. Right?

Not having time to over analyse, she followed his lead and headed for the stairs.

Chapter Nineteen

Dive Team HQ, South Shields – 13 November

M arlo rushed into the briefing room and sat down silently.

‘Second time